PUERTO PRINCESA CITY –– Domestic tourism is being explored as a long-term plan to recover from the losses brought by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis in Palawan.
Palawan, a world-class tourism destination, derives around 36 percent of its total gross domestic product from tourism.
With the global impact brought by the COVID-19 crisis, Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez is thinking of strengthening domestic tourism and agriculture.
“Europe, America, and China were affected so how can they travel? This is not final yet, but we asked our officials to study it,” said Alvarez.
Local officials were also told to deliberate on other “emerging” industries that may compensate for the tourism loss.
“There will be a lot of changes in the commercial, political, demographics, and the way people behave,” he said.
“They must think of how to do business outside of tourism,” he said.
The reopening of airports would also depend on the order of the Department of Transportation, he said.
“We are more reactive. We will just wait because I am sure the officials are also studying it,” he added.